Grocery markets remained closed over hike in VAT

Kanpur, Sep 22 (UNI) The grocery merchants here today closed down their establishments to protest an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on various domestic items in the state.

President of Kirana (grocery) Merchant Association Naval Khanna said '' we would call an indefinite strike, if the government declines to bring down the VAT charges.'' He said that the tax rates were highest in Uttar Pradesh as compared other parts of the country.

Recently, the state government had raised the VAT on grocery items from four per cent to 12-and-a-half per cent.

The computer merchants also protested over the same and closed the shutters of their shops, saying the hike would affect its sale.

UNI AKM JAS MIR HT1706